Adhesive label and roll

ABSTRACT

An adhesive label is provided. The adhesive label includes an adhesive patch that covers at least 50% but less than 85% of a backside surface of the adhesive label and that is at least partially horizontally and vertically centered on the backside surface.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/241,570, filed Aug. 19, 2017, this entry is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

The ubiquitous adhesive label is available in a myriad of configurationsfor use in various applications, including specialty applications. Thetypical adhesive label includes pressure-sensitive adhesive on its backside and is initially laminated to an underlying release liner.

Adhesive labels may be found in individual sheets, or joined together ina fan-fold stack, or in a continuous roll (web). Label rolls aretypically used in commercial applications requiring high volume use oflabels.

The challenge with adhesive-based printing applications is that too muchadhesive applied to a label can over time collect on mechanicalcomponents of the printer during printer operation. So, any label havingan adhesive coating that is fed through a printer can interfere withprint quality and cause printer jams.

Moreover, during manufacture of the adhesive label rolls repeatedplacement of the adhesive patch in a same amount and in a same locationwith each label can result in wrinkling of the web and/or ridges formingas the web is wound onto the reel.

Still further, when labels are applied to items (after printing andremoval from the web), the labels can lip up (flag or flare) along theirperimeters resulting in some cases in the labels falling off the itemsto which they are applied. In some instances, these types of problematiclabels can also interfere with other materials added to the items, suchas a coffee collar slipped over a cup of coffee where the label faringprevents the coffee collar from properly fitting over the cup.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved adhesive patch.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, an adhesive label and roll of adhesive labelsare provided.

According to an embodiment, an adhesive label is provided. The adhesivelabel including an adhesive patch covering at least 50% but less than85% of a backside surface area of the adhesive label, wherein theadhesive patch is at least partially horizontally and verticallycentered on the backside surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a thermal printer dispensing a label having anadhesive patch, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a label roll having adhesive patches, accordingto an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a backside view of the label roll of theFIG. 2, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting another backside view of the label roll ofthe FIG. 2 having a different adhesive patch from that which wasdepicted in the FIG. 3, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a front-side view of a portion of a labelroll having an adhesive patch, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting a back-side view of a portion of a labelroll having an adhesive patch, according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-7F depict different adhesive patches, according to exampleembodiments.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a linerless label, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view of a second surface of the linerless label of FIG. 8,including printed text, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view of a first surface of the linerless label of FIG. 8,including a strip of activated adhesive with a void, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 11 is an example apparatus for applying adhesive patches withvoids, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an example double-sided thermal printer for printing labelshaving adhesive patches with voids, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be described more completely herein and below, a single adhesivepatch substantially centered horizontally and vertically on a backsideof a label improves paper feed for printers and other performance andprocessing properties for thermal-printed, labels, linerless labels, andrelated products while maintaining acceptable adhesion properties forthe label.

The term “Sticky Media” refers to a paper product (such as a label orlinerless label) featuring a thermal top coating (i.e. a coating thatdarkens when exposed to heat, known as a “thermal coating”) and apressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) coated on the reverse side of asubstrate. The thermal-coated top surface is over coated with lowsurface energy silicone (or silicone-free (water based) releaseagent/mixture) to allow the paper to release from itself when wound intoa roll, without picking or causing other product defects in the media.

The adhesive patches, discussed herein, enable a distribution of tackover horizontally centered areas of the backside of the labels (such asbut not limited to receipts, shipping/mailing labels, etc.).Furthermore, the horizontally centered adhesive patch is also centeredvertically on the backside of a label or off-centered a bit verticallyso as to avoid contact of cutting mechanisms in Point-Of-Sale (POS)printers, which cut in different regions in response to reading sensemarks on the rolls.

Each label includes a single large adhesive patch that covers: 50% orslightly over 50% of the surface area of the backside of the label butnot more than: 79% (for a 40 mm or 39.5 mm labels), 80%, or 84% (for 80mm or 79.5 mm labels) of the surface area of the backside label. Thelabels are manufactured on rolls. In an embodiment, the single largeadhesive patch covers over 50% of the surface area but not more thanwhat is needed for allowance of sense marks and a width of a printercutting knife for purposes of recognizing the label from a sense markthat is adhesive free and for purposes of cutting the label from the webwithout the printer cutting knife engage any adhesive (based on thecutting knife width and path along the label where the label is cut fromthe web). In an embodiment, the single large adhesive patch covers allbut 3.175 mm reserved for a sense mark and 3.81 mm reserved for sidemargin slitting (cutting) allowance of the printer.

In some embodiments, the single large adhesive patch includes one ormore voids where no adhesive exists. In some embodiments, the voids inthe single large adhesive patch is in a striped (grooved) pattern. Indistinction to approaches that use multiple small adhesive patches tothe backside of a label, the novel approaches herein for a single largepatch with voids is better able to distribute adhesive mass and countertendencies towards label: “flapping,” “flagging,” “flaring,” “lippingup,” or curling along the perimeters of the labels when the labels areapplied to a package or item. Moreover, with the labels presentedherein, there is a greater chance that the person applying the labels ina rush will actually press regions of the receipt having adhesive. Stillfurther, a single large patch with one or more voids (as presented insome embodiments below) maintains acceptable performance within aprinter while the one or more voids counter the increase in binding thatwould occur with a solid patch having a same perimeter as the adhesivepatch with the one or more voids. Additionally, a single large patchwith one or more voids (as presented herein) provides more coverage areaon the backside of the label to enable distribution of tack over a widearea of the label while conserving the mass of the applied adhesive. Insome embodiments, the single large adhesive patch with one or more voidsis applied to a label roll such that the void regions within the rollare staggered from label to label; this improves the manufacturingprocess by inhibiting the tendency to form wrinkles in the machinedirection aligned with the voids.

In an embodiment, the adhesive patch with one or more voids includes asmall area of adhesive to avoid wrinkling tendencies in the label. Thesmall area of adhesive is discontinuous with the other adhesive thatsurrounds the void area. In some cases, the small area of adhesive iscentered within the void area.

A single large adhesive patch with zero or more voids (as presentedherein) is applied to a surface of print media to form a label. Thelabels are cut from a roll. In an embodiment, the patches with voids maybe of any geometric shape, of varying size, and applied in variouspatterns.

In an embodiment. “large” is intended to mean that the single adhesivepatch (with or without voids) covers more than 50% but less than 85% ofthe surface area available on the backside of the label.

In an embodiment, “large” is intended to mean that the single adhesivepatch (with or without voids) covers slightly over 50% of the surfacearea available on the backside of the label. Slightly over 50% meansgreater than 50% of the available surface area but less than or equal toabout 62%, 79%, 80%, or 84% of the available surface area. In anembodiment, the area of the backside surface of the label not havingadhesive is equal to the surface area of any sense mark on the labelplus the surface area reserved for slitting (cutting) the label from theweb.

It is also to be noted that the adhesive patch can include voids (asdiscussed above) such that the single large patch may have one or moreareas that lack any adhesive. In these embodiments (adhesive patcheswith one or more voids), the applied adhesive of the adhesive patch cancover less than 50% of the available surface area of the backside of thelabel (but the patch itself (including the void(s) covers over 50% butless than 85% of the available surface area).

In an embodiment, the single large adhesive patch (with or without oneor more voids) employs a high-tack pressure sensitive adhesive.

In an embodiment, the single large adhesive patch (with or without oneor more voids) employs any pressure sensitive adhesive.

The presented singular adhesive patches (with or without manufacturedvoid areas) enables the production of a superior label by enabling alarger backside adhesive coverage area in proximity to the labelperimeter while, potentially, utilizing a lesser amount of adhesive fromthat which is deployed in conventional adhesive patch applications. Thiscan result in: i) lowered amounts of adhesive being required; thereby,reducing the cost of manufacture, ii) reduced maintenance on mechanicalcomponents of printers processing the presented adhesive patches (byreducing adhesive buildup on the mechanical components, iii) improvedlifespan of the printer and mechanical components, iv) improved adhesivelabel with less flagging, flaring, curling, etc., and v) improvedmanufacture of adhesive label rolls by reducing lateral movement of theweb at the rewind reel during manufacture.

The FIGS. are now discussed, but it is to be noted that the presentedadhesive patch 38 in the FIGS. is not necessarily drawn to scale. Thatis, the adhesive patches 38 presented in the FIGS. is intended to be thesingle large adhesive patch (with or without voids) that covers at least50% but less than 85% of the available surface area on the backside of alabel.

FIG. 1 is a view of a thermal printer dispensing pressure sensitivelabels; each label having a single large adhesive patch (with or withoutone or more voids), according to an embodiment. With reference to FIG.1, a printer 10 configured for printing in sequence individual labels 12for use in a typical fast food application. For example, food may beplaced in a suitable food package 14 such as the paper box illustrated,or simple wrapping paper. Printer 10 may include a thermal printer, suchas a single or double-sided thermal printer (as shown in the FIG. 12).

Print or identifying indicia 16 is printed on a label 12 in printer 10for identifying the contents of the package, for example. The individualprinted label 12 may then be removed from printer 10 and applied usingthe adhesive patch (with or without one or more voids 38) to the foodpackage 14.

It is to be noted that the adhesive patch (with or without one or morevoids 38) is not drawn to scale in the FIG. 2 and the patch 38 covers agreater surface area (at least 50% but less than 85%) of the backside ofthe label 12 than what is depicted in the FIG. 1. Moreover, the patch 38can include one or more voids as illustrated in the FIGS. 7B-7F below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a label roll having adhesive patches, accordingto an example embodiment.

The front surface 34 of the roll 18 includes a release strip 40 whichextends along the running axis behind at least a portion of the adhesivepatches 38. The release strip 40 may be formed of any suitable releasingmaterial, such a cured silicone or acrylic suitably coating orimpregnating the web front surface 34. In an embodiment, the releasingmaterial is water-based and substantially free of silicone. In this way,a column or row of the adhesive patches may be laminated to the releasestrip 40 in successive layers of the roll 18 without the need for aseparate liner. The single ply web 20 is wound into the roll 18 and istherefore linerless.

When the linerless roll 18 is mounted in a printer 10 (FIG. 12), theadhesive-less front surface 34 faces upwardly to engage web guides and aprinting head for preventing adhesive contact therewith. The adhesivecoated backside surface 36 faces downwardly and is suitably spaced fromadjacent portions of the feed path for preventing inadvertent bondingtherewith.

The non-stick platen roller drives or pulls the web 20 along its feedpath within the printer 10 (FIG. 12) permitting individual labels 12 tobe cut therefrom and immediately downstream from the non-stick platenroller. In some embodiments, when the adhesive patches 38 includes oneor more voids (FIGS. 7B-7F) buildup of adhesive on the cutting blade orlabel separation mechanism is reduced and/or limited to a small region.

The web 20 includes a longitudinal (vertical) axis 32 representing acenter of the web 20 and each label 12 includes a latitudinal(horizontal) axis 31 representing a center of that label 12. Each label12 includes a single large adhesive patch 38 that is centered along thehorizontal axis 31 of that label 12 and that is offset slightly from thevertical axis 32.

Moreover, the adhesive patch 38 as applied to the labels is staggered ina different offset centered and/or horizontal position along thevertical axis 32 and/or horizontal axis 31, such that the amount ofadhesive in the web 20 does not congregate in the roll 18 in a singularlocation within each label 12. This reduces web wobble duringmanufacture and varies the buildup of adhesive on the mechanicalcomponents of the printer 10 (FIG. 12) when the web 20 is installed forapplication.

The adhesive patches 38 may be in any geometric shape and may includeone or more voids.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a backside view of the label roll 18 ofthe FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment.

The adhesive patches 38 are an oval shape and that are staggered andoffset from being vertically centered (off-centered) along the verticalaxis 32 from label 12 to label 12. The adhesive patches 38 are alsocentered along the horizontal axis 31 from label 12 to label 12.

Also illustrated in the FIG. 3 are sense marks 42 on the web 20. Thesense marks 42 are read by printer 10 for determining each individuallabel 12 from the web 20. The sense marks 42 can include variousconfigurations, such as a black line extending horizontally across thefull width of the web 20 or they may extend horizontally across a smallwidth of the web 20 (as shown in FIGS. 7A-7F). The sense marks 42 arepositioned along the web 20 between adjacent labels 12 providing theprinter 10 with a precise cutting location across the web 20 fordispensing the labels 12 individually.

FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting another backside view of the label roll 18of the FIG. 2 having a different adhesive patch 38B from that which wasdepicted in the FIG. 3, according to an example embodiment.

The adhesive patches 38B in the FIG. 4 illustrate a rectangular shape asopposed to the oval shape depicted in the FIG. 3. The edges of the patch38B run parallel to the corresponding edges of the label 12.

The patches 38 of the FIGS. 3 and 38B of the FIG. 4 are off-set centered(off-centered) along the vertical axis 32 of the web 20 and thehorizontal axis 31 of each label 12. The vertical centering is staggeredfrom label 12 to label 12 within the web 20.

Moreover, the patches 38 and 38B cover at least 50% but less than 85% ofthe available surface area on the backside 36 of each label 12, and eachlabel 12 includes a single patch (38 or 38B) with or without voids(discussed in the FIGS. 7B-7F below).

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a front-side view of a portion of a labelroll 18 having an adhesive patch 38, according to an example embodiment.

The FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a release strip40B, which is just wide enough to cover the staggering single largeadhesive patches 38 in each label 12 within the web 20. This leaves theremainder of the front-side 34 of the web 20 devoid or free of anyrelease material. This conserves release material and is useful inthermal transfer printing in which a transfer ribbon is suitablyprovided between the printing head and the exposed front surface 34 ofthe web 20 to the side of the just wide enough release strip 40B.

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting a back-side view of a portion of a labelroll 18 having an adhesive patch 38C, according to an exampleembodiment.

The FIG. 6 is intended to illustrate that a web 20 devoid of any sensemarks permitting variable sized labels with each label including asingle large adhesive patch 30C. The lines defining each label 12 in theFIG. 6 is intended only to illustrate each variable sized label 12 andnot indicative sense marks.

FIGS. 7A-7F depict different adhesive patches, according to exampleembodiments.

The FIG. 7A illustrates a solid adhesive patch that covers at least 50%but less than 85% of the backside of a label. Three separate labels areillustrated along the backside of web and delineated by sense marks thatseparates each individual label (the small hash marks above each solidadhesive patch representing the sense marks). In an embodiment, thesolid adhesive patches cover approximately and about 62% of theavailable surface area on the backside of the labels.

The FIG. 7B illustrates an adhesive patch that covers at least 50% butless than 85% of the backside of a label but includes adhesive onapproximately 47% of the of backside of the label. Each label (3illustrated in the FIG. 7B) includes two void-shaped ovals that aredevoid of any adhesive. The location of the void-shaped ovals variesfrom label to label on the web. The adhesive patch itself (including thevoid ovals) covers at least 50% but less than 85% of the entire backsidesurface of each label but because of the voids within the adhesive patchthe adhesive only covers about 47% of the backside surface area.

The FIG. 7C includes an adhesive patch that covers at least 50% but lessthan 85% of the backside surface of each label (again, 3 illustrated onthe web of the FIG. 7C), but voided groove areas within the adhesivepatch permits the adhesive within the adhesive patch to coverapproximately 41.5% of the backside surface of each label.

It is noted that different shapes, patterns of both the adhesive patchand the voids within the adhesive patch can be achieved to arrive at aconfigured (desired) amount of adhesive within the single large adhesivepatch (more than 50% but less than 85% coverage of the backside surfaceof the label). Therefore, the adhesive patches with voids as shown inthe FIGS. 7B-7C are intended to be illustrative and not limiting herein.

FIG. 7D is a diagram of adhesive patches with staggering voids appliedto labels in a web, according to an example embodiment. The perimeter ofthe adhesive patch (gray area with white oval void) is in proximity tothe perimeter of the label (each label on the web in the FIG. 7D isseparated by a back rectangular sense mark). The void area of theadhesive patch intersects a center of the label but does not completelyoverlap the center of the label. Moreover, the location of the void areavaries from label to label (the first label having a void area offsetabout the center of the label to the right, the second label having avoid area offset about the center of the label to the left, and thethird label having a void offset area similar to that of the firstlabel).

Having the void area in the adhesive patch vary from label to labelwhile avoiding ever completely overlapping void centers and stillintersecting at least a portion of the center results in optimal machineperformance at the rewind end of the machine. If the voids were allaligned, the rewind reel would tend to build ridges along the glue(adhesive) pattern that runs in the machine direction, the regions ofadhesive that define the lateral perimeter of the patch. These ridgesdestabilize the roll.

Additionally, less margin between the adhesive patches with voids andthe label perimeter is achievable with less adhesive being required,which creates better tack and reduces flagging and flaring when thelabels are applied to packaging as receipts after being imaged by aprinter and removed from the roll.

Still further, because less adhesive is used during manufacture of theweb, there is less adhesive concentrated over the length of the web,which makes the web (roll) softer than conventional manufactured rollsand allows the web of the present teachings to be more easily unwound bya printer during receipt printing in a retail environment. This producesless wear and tear on the printer and printer components.

Also, the adhesive patch with void labels manufactured on the webrequire less drying energy because less adhesive is used thanconventional adhesive patch applications. That is, the amount of heat orthe time to dry adhesive patches on labels is a function of the amountof adhesive being used per patch and since less adhesive per patch isrequired with the teachings presented herein, less heat and/or lessdrying time is required during label manufacture than conventionalapproaches.

The FIG. 7D also illustrates a single large adhesive patch per labelthat covers at least 50% but less than 85% of the backside surface ofthe label; the illustrated adhesive patch having a single large voidedarea (as opposed to multiple void areas as illustrated in the FIGS.7B-7C).

FIG. 7E is a diagram of other adhesive patches with staggering voidsapplied to labels in a web, according to an example embodiment. FIG. 7Eillustrates that multiple voids may appear within a single largeadhesive patch that covers at least 50% but less than 85% of a backsidesurface of the label.

The voided areas within each label is varied along the web by changingthe orientation of the shapes for the voided areas. This can also bedone by changing the location of the shapes within the adhesive patch aswas shown in the FIG. 7B. Moreover, this can be done by changing fromlabel to label the shapes within the adhesive patches.

FIG. 7F is a diagram of adhesive patches with voids having a smallamount of adhesive applied in the void region, the adhesive patchesapplied to labels in a web, according to an example embodiment.

The adhesive patches with voids of the FIG. 7E include a small amount ofadhesive within the center of the void (darkened diamond in the FIG. 7E,white area are void areas, darkened areas are adhesive areas).

The layout of the large adhesive patch with a void area having anadditional amount of adhesive (as shown in the FIG. 7E) preventsbubbling of the label when it is affixed to packaging.

In an embodiment, the coverage area of adhesive within the adhesivepatch having one or more voids is greater than the coverage area of thevoid(s) (as shown in the FIG. 7E).

In an embodiment, the coverage area of the adhesive within the adhesivepatch having one or more voids is less than the coverage area of thevoid(s) (as shown in the FIG. 7E).

In an embodiment, the coverage area of the adhesive within the adhesivepatch having one or more voids is substantially the same as the coveragearea of the void(s).

In an embodiment, void geometric shape(s) within the adhesive patch withone or more voids is configurable and varies from label to label duringmanufacture of a web of labels.

Again, each label illustrated in the FIG. 7E includes a single largeadhesive patch that covers at least 50% but less than 85% of a backsidesurface area of the label. The actual amount of adhesive within eachsingle large adhesive patch can vary as discussed above.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate an example linerless label 100 that includes aprintable surface including imaging material on one side and aheat-activated adhesive surface on the other side having a releasecoating, according to embodiments of the invention. It is to be notedthat other types of labels are also envisioned.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a linerless label having an adhesivepatch with one or more voids, according to an embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 8, linerless label 100 is formed of layersincluding a substrate 102, a thermal print layer 104, a heat-activatedadhesive layer with one or more voids 106, and a release coating 108.The adhesive layer (with or without one or more voids) 106 overlies afirst surface 112 of the substrate 102 and the print layer 104 overliesa second surface 114 of the substrate 102 of the print layer 104. Therelease coating 108 overlies surface 116 of the print layer 104. Theadhesive layer 106 having an adhesive patch comprised of an adhesive oradhesive mixture with or without one or more voided areas (areas devoidof any adhesive or adhesive mixture within the adhesive patch).

In some embodiments, substrates may be thermally resistant in order toprevent heat applied to one side of the substrate from activatingmaterials on the other side of the substrate.

Linerless label 100 may be wound into a roll. The adhesive layer withone or more voids 106 comes into contact with the release coating 108,thereby minimizing adhesion between the adhesive layer 106 and the printlayer 104 or underlying substrate 102.

The print layer 104 can include one or more layers of thermal imagingmaterial. For instance, the print layer 104 can include a thermaltransfer receptive coating suitable for thermal transfer printing.Alternately or additionally, the print layer 104 may include one or morethermally sensitive coatings which are adapted to change color uponapplication of heat thereto by which direct thermal printing isprovided.

The adhesive layer with or without one or more voids 106 may includeadhesives and may be applied in patches (in any of the manners discussedabove) using a printing press.

As an alternative to using a separate print layer 104, substrate 102could comprise thermochromic paper. A thermal print head can printvisible patterns on thermochromic paper without requiring an additionalprint layer to be formed on the substrate.

FIG. 9 is a view of a second surface of the linerless label of the FIG.8, including an example printed or imaged text, according to anembodiment.

That is, FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a second surface 202 of thelinerless label 100 after printing. In this example, the label 100 is areceipt for a fast food meal. As shown in FIG. 9, the second surface 202of the linerless label 100 has been printed with transaction informationby, for example, direct thermal printing of one or more thermallysensitive compounds in the print layer 104.

FIG. 10 is a view of a first surface of the linerless label of FIG. 3,including a strip of activated adhesive (having at least one contiguousare devoid of any adhesive within the strip although a solid adhesivestrip can also be included), according to an embodiment.

The first surface 302 includes a wet adhesive portion in the form of atacky strip 310 of heat-activated adhesive material (having a voiddevoid of any wet adhesive portion) that has been activated by, forexample, a thermal print head. In this example, the tacky strip 310 canbe used to attach the receipt to an associated bag of food or a cup ofcoffee. Consequently, the bag or cup with the receipt can be handed to acustomer simultaneously.

The tacky strip 310 can be formed in one of at least two differentmethods. In the first method, the entire first surface 112 of thesubstrate 102 can be overlaid by a heat-activated adhesive with a voidedregion that is dry and non-tacky prior to activation. Then, only aselected portion of the heat-activated adhesive, the portion definingthe strip 310, is activated by heat applied with a thermal print head.Depending on the embodiment, such activation may occur at orsubstantially at the same time as, or at some time after the secondsurface 202 of the receipt has been printed with transactioninformation. In the second method, a portion of the first surface 302defining the strip with one or more voided regions 310 can be overlaidwith a heat-activated adhesive that is dry and non-tacky prior to use.The entire heat-activated adhesive can be activated by a thermal printhead, which activation may, depending on the embodiment, occur at orsubstantially at the same time as, or at some time after the secondsurface 202 of the receipt has been printed with transactioninformation. Either manner will result in a tacky adhesive strip withone or more voided regions 310. When a double-sided thermal printer isused, a first thermal print head can print on the second surface 202 ofthe receipt while a second thermal print head activates the firstsurface 302 of the receipt.

The substrate can be paper, such as a base paper, a single layer coatedpaper, a several layer coated paper, a thermal coated paper, a topcoated paper (over the thermal coating), film, or any other substratethat can receive coated layers.

FIG. 11 is an example apparatus for applying large adhesive patches withor without one or more voided regions that are devoid of any adhesive,according to an example embodiment.

An example press 400 is illustrated. The example press is a flexographicor “flexo” printing press.

FIG. 12 is an example double-sided thermal printer for printing labelshaving a single large adhesive patch with or without one more voidedregions devoid of any adhesive, according to an embodiment.

An example double-sided thermal printer includes a first print headassembly 510, a second print head assembly 520, and a motor. The firstprint head assembly 510 includes a first print head 550 and a firstplaten 570 rotatable about a first shaft 590. Similarly, the secondprint assembly 520 comprises a second print head 560 and a second platen580 rotatable about a second shaft 600.

During operation of the double-sided thermal printer, the motor drivesthe first and second shafts 590 and 600 to turn the first and secondplatens 570 and 580. Accordingly, when a label 500 is fed into theprinter, rotation of the first and second platens 570 and 580 pushes thelabel 500 in a direction indicated by a vertical arrow. As the label 500passes through the printer, the first and second print heads 550 andselectively heat the two sides of label 500 to perform printingoperations. More particularly, first print head 550 performs printingoperations on a side of label 500 indicated by an arrow 610 and secondprint head 560 performs printing operations a side of label 500indicated by an arrow 620.

In an embodiment, when the applied adhesive (having one or more voidregions that are devoid of any adhesive) is applied to the substrate itcan be a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In such a case, pressure can beapplied to the adhesive at a customer's location for the receipt toadhere to customer items, such as, but not limited to: paper/foil wraps,cardboard boxes, clam shells, fries' sleeves, cups, etc.

Each embodiment presented herein includes a single large adhesive patchper label that is aligned or centered horizontally and/or partiallyaligned or centered (in an offset manner—off-centered) vertically. Theadhesive patch may include no voided areas that are devoid of adhesive;may include a single voided area that is devoid of adhesive material; ormay include two or more voided areas that are devoid of adhesivematerial. The single adhesive patch covers at least 50% but less than85% of a backside available surface area of the label. The manufacturedweb or roll of adhesive labels can vary the location (by offsetting thevertical centering so that a different portion of the adhesive patch isincluded in the center of the label) of the adhesive patches (or voidedareas within the adhesive patches) from label to label within the web.

Although the present invention has been described with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations andmodifications of the present invention can be effected within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: imaging, by a thermalprinter, a first side of a label; and activating, by the thermalprinter, a single adhesive patch on a second side of the label thatcovers at least approximately 50% but less than approximately 85% of thesecond side and that is at least partially horizontally and partiallyvertically centered on the second side, wherein the label includes onlythe single adhesive patch.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising,cutting, by the thermal printer, the label from a roll of labels anddispensing the label from the thermal printer during a print job beingprocessed on the thermal printer.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising, avoiding, by the thermal printer, a least one void area thatis present on the second side and that is devoid of any adhesivematerial.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising, avoiding, by thethermal printer, the at least one void area as a plurality of void areaseach of which are devoid of any adhesive material.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 further comprising, obtaining, by the thermal printer, a nextlabel for a next print job from the roll of labels being fed through thethermal printer, and activating a second single adhesive patch on asecond side of the next label, wherein the second single adhesive patchis offset vertically from a center of the backside of the next label andis in a different location from the single adhesive patch associatedwith the label of the print job.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereincutting further includes cutting, by the thermal printer, the label forthe print job and the second label for the second print job from theroll of labels ensuring that a cutting blade/knife avoids the singleadhesive patch and the second single adhesive patch.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein activating further includes apply pressure to thesingle adhesive patch to activate a pressure-sensitive adhesive materialof the adhesive patch.
 8. A method, comprising: applying single adhesivepatches on a backside of a roll of labels, each label including a singlepressure-activated adhesive path as a corresponding single adhesivepatch that covers approximately 50% and less than 85% of the backsidefor that label; wherein applying further includes situating each singleadhesive patch to be substantially centered on the backside of thecorresponding label with placement of each single adhesive patchslightly offset vertically from a previously applied single adhesivepatch associated with a previously label in the roll of labels, whereineach label comprises only a single adhesive patch on the backside thatcovers approximately 50% and less than 85% of the backside for thatlabel.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising, applying a thermalprint layer to a front side of each label in the roll of labels.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 further comprising, applying a release layer over topof the thermal print layer on each label in the roll of labels.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 further comprising, imaging a sense mark on thebackside of each label in an area that is different from the singleadhesive patch on each label in the roll of labels.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 further comprising, winding the roll of labels, feeding theroll of labels into a thermal printer for print jobs, selectivelyactivating, by the thermal printer, the thermal print layer for eachprint job, pressure activating, by the thermal printer, thepressure-activated adhesive patch of each label for each print job,cutting, by the thermal printer, each label from the roll of labels foreach print job, and dispensing, by the thermal printer, each label fromthe thermal printer for each print job.